About the Center

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Artwas founded in 1993 to celebrate the life and works of its namesake, the nationally recognized wildlife artist, naturalist and writer Ned Smith. On October 9th, 2004 we opened our permanent home that includes three gallery spaces, a gift shop, offices and classrooms.

In June 2011, the Ned Smith Gallery opened. This gallery permanently features selections from the $2.3 million collection of hundreds of original paintings, drawings, field sketches, journal notes and manuscripts donated by Smith’s widow, Marie.

The Center’s lands offer a tranquil outdoor experience on more than 500 contiguous acres of rustic beauty just outside Ned Smith’s hometown of Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 30 minutes north of Harrisburg, the state capital. With hardwood forest, stream, more than twelve miles of trails and stunning views of the Susquehanna River from the mountaintop, the land also provides habitat for the wildlife Ned Smith immortalized – deer, bear, wild turkey, grouse, fox and many species of smaller animals.

With a permanent home and room to expand programs, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is now able to enrich so many more lives. The Ned Smith Center already plays an active role in education about nature, art and conservation through a year-long series of lectures, field trips, seminars and other special events.

“We need to connect people, especially children, to the natural world. Anyone who comes to the Center’s wildlife festival in late July and watches the kids, can see they have a natural love for the outdoors. Their enthusiasm and wonder gives you a warm feeling. You know this is right for families and for America.” – Gary Alt, former biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission